Emerging in reaction to industrialization and mass production, the Arts and Crafts movement celebrated handcrafted design as a part of daily life. The history of Arts and Crafts furniture has roots in 1860s England with an emphasis on natural motifs and simple flourishes like mosaics and carvings. This work is characterized by plain construction that showcases the hand of the artisan.
The earliest American Arts and Crafts furniture dates back to the start of the 20th century. Designers working in this style in the United States initially looked to ideas put forth by The Craftsman, a magazine published by Wisconsin native Gustav Stickley, a furniture maker and founder of the Craftsman style. Stickley’s furniture was practical and largely free of ornament. His Craftsman style drew on French Art Nouveau as well as the work he encountered on his travels in England. There, the leading designers of the Arts and Crafts movement included William Morris, who revived historical techniques such as embroidery and printed fabrics in his furnishings, and Charles Voysey, whose minimal approach was in contrast to the ornamentation favored in the Victorian era.
American Arts and Crafts work would come to involve a range of influences unified by an elevation of traditional craftsmanship. The furniture was often built from sturdy woods like oak and mahogany while featuring details such as inlaid metal, tooled leather and ceramic tiles. The style in the United States was led by Stickley, whose clean-lined chairs and benches showcased the grain of the wood, and furniture maker Charles Rohlfs, who was informed by international influences like East Asian and French Art Nouveau design.
Hubs in America included several utopian communities such as Rose Valley in Pennsylvania and the Byrdcliffe Arts and Crafts Colony in New York, where craftspeople made furniture that prioritized function over any decoration. Their work would influence designers and architects including Frank Lloyd Wright, who built some of the most elegant and iconic structures in the United States and likewise embraced a thoughtful use of materials in his furniture.
Find antique Arts and Crafts chairs, tables, cabinets and other authentic period furniture on 1stDibs.
Heals of London Attri. a Tall Arts & Crafts Oak Wing Back or Porter's Armchair
By Heal's
Located in London, GB
Heals of London attributed. An Arts & Crafts oak high back wing back or Porter's armchair with shaped cornice and shaped elongated wings to the sides to keep the draughts away from the porter.
Oak
Arts and Crafts Show-Oak Wingback Bergère Settee, Emerald Wool Felt
Located in Hanover, MA
American arts & crafts double wide wing back bergère settee, featuring an exposed show-oak frame, gently curved wings that transition into the ar...
Oak
$5,121
H 42.13 in W 30.71 in D 30.71 in
Fully Restored Vintage Chesterfield Porters Wingback Armchair Brown Leather
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning vintage Porters barrel back armchair in whisky brown leather This chair a real tour de force, is has absolutely everything going ...
Leather
Pair of oak bergere library chairs
Located in Cheshire, GB
Pair of oak bergere library chairs. The solid oak frame inset with double cane work panels having removable leather cushions. All raised on barley twist supports united by stretcher....
Oak
$8,193 / set
H 43.9 in W 28.75 in D 31.11 in
Regency circa 1815 Fluted Barrel Back Leather Wing Armchair and Matching Stool
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original hand dyed Regency circa 1815 fluted barrel back armchair and matching footstool A lovely pair and of the finest quality ...
Leather, Hardwood
$9,800
H 50.5 in W 38 in D 34 in
English Chippendale Mahogany Upholstered Ball & Claw Wing Back Chair, Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany upholstered wing back chair with serpentine back, flared wings, flanking scrolled arms, removable seat cushion, shell and floral carved knees, and termin...
Suede, Cotton, Upholstery, Mahogany
$13,989
H 36.62 in W 31.5 in D 31.5 in
Large Wing Back Lounge Chair Designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen, Denmark
Located in Antwerp, BE
Comfortable walnut wing back chair designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen, 1954, produced by Carlo Ghan Denmark. Original black leather upholstery with a loose cushion and a comfortable cushion...
Leather, Walnut
Pair Louis XVI Style Bergere á Oreilles Wingback Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand pair of french mahogany bergere á oreilles or wingback chairs made in the Louis XVI taste. The chairs feature tall carved frames with gracefully curved wings. The generous seat...
Brass
$1,925Sale Price|30% Off
H 47 in W 32.5 in D 32.5 in
Antique French Louis XVI Style Figural Carved Walnut Bergere Wingback Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique French Louis XVI style Bergere library wingback reading chair, circa 1890-1910. Made from walnut with a striking pediment featuring a quiver, arrows and torch amongst roses ...
Fabric, Walnut
$5,200Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 41.5 in W 29.5 in D 27.5 in
Pair of French Louis XV Style Bergères À Oreilles with Carved Floral Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French Louis XV style walnut bergères à oreilles from the 20th century, with carved floral décor, upholstery and cabriole legs. Created in France during the 20th century, t...
Upholstery, Walnut
$2,480Sale Price|20% Off
H 45 in W 28 in D 29 in
French Louis XV Style Walnut Wingback Bergere Chair, Early 20th Century
Located in Vero Beach, FL
French Louis XV style walnut wingback Bergere chair, early 20th century Large and well proportioned finely carved walnut wingback bergere armchair. The sturdy frame is decorated wit...
Walnut
Pair of Striped French Bergère Armchairs, 1970s
Located in Aartselaar, BE
An elegant pair of French bergères or wingback chairs from France, showcasing timeless appeal and refined proportions. These comfortable lounge chairs feature classic high backs with...
Wood, Fabric, Oak
20th Century Tall Wing Back Vintage Leather Armchair from Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
20th century tall wing back armchair from Denmark, upholstered in vintage caramel leather. The chair features a classic wing back form with nail head trim accenting the wings, front,...
Leather, Wood
$1,224
H 41.74 in W 35.83 in D 37.01 in
Hand-Crafted Brown Cowhide Leather Chesterfield Wingback Chair
Located in Harderwijk, NL
Offered: this luxurious, warm-toned brown cowhide leather Chesterfield wingback armchair with unique details. This large, classic Chesterfield wingback armchair offers a true sense o...
Cowhide, Leather
Wingback Armchair by William Birch, England, circa 1890
Located in Culver City, CA
Wingback Armchair by William Birch, England circa 1890 Newly upholstered in Pine Wool Blend by Holland & Sherry on cabriole mahogany legs with makers stamp. Measures: 30”W x 33”D x...
Wool, Mahogany
Wingback Armchair by William Birch, England, circa 1890
Located in Culver City, CA
Wingback Armchair by William Birch, England circa 1890 Newly upholstered in Pine Wool Blend by Holland & Sherry on cabriole mahogany legs with makers stamp. Measures: 30”W x 33...
Wool, Mahogany
Sold
H 38.5 in W 27.5 in D 24.25 in
Antique Arts & Crafts Stickley Brothers Mission Oak Wing Chair & Rocker, 1910
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Arts & Crafts Mission set by Stickley Brothers offers wing chair and rocker in oak construction with slat backs and upholstered seats, unsigned, c1910 Measures - rocker...
Oak
Pair Wingback Armchair, Bamboo
Located in Nice, FR
Pair of bamboo wingback armchairs, in very good condition, can be put inside or outside. It is difficult to find this model. French work. If necessary, we can put a cushion on the se...
Bamboo
Antique Pair of Carved Oak Lounge Wingback Chairs Jamestown Lounge Co.
Located in Wayne, NJ
Antique pair of paneled wood wing chairs by Jamestown Lounge Company, with angled legs and base with tall back with curved sides, scrolled arms and det...
Wood
English Arts & Crafts Hall Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful late 19th century English Arts & Crafts hall chair with short wings, a scrolled top, out-turned sloping arms, and retaining its original leather upholstered seat with bra...
Maple
Sold
H 42 in W 35.5 in D 30.75 in
English Arts & Crafts Mahogany and Leather Upholstered Wingchair, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
Having dramatically flared and winged sides with slightly curled arms, the leather trimmed in patinated brass nailheads, the cushion is of antique needlepoint, front Marlborough legs...
Leather
Arts and Crafts Pair of Upholstered Wing Chairs, England, circa 1900s
Located in New York, NY
English pair of 1900's Arts and Crafts high back upholstered wing chairs. The wooden arms and legs are exposed. The chairs have bee...
Cotton, Wood
19th c. English Leather Wingchair
Located in Greenwich, CT
A leather wingchair of architectural form, having good color and patina to wood and leather, outlined with brass studs and resting on brass castors. Comfortable and handsome.
Leather, Wood